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B# Guitar Chord

B# guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

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Shape 1/2
Chord shapes:(2 positions)
B#Guitar fingering diagram for B#1234×321STRING6ª×5ªC4ªE3ªG2ªC1ªE
View HD sheet

What sets B# apart

Play B# one string at a time and you hear B#, D## and F##. B# is the root, D## the major third and F## the fifth. Said aloud, its notes are B sharp, D double sharp and F double sharp.

From the low string to the high one you hear B#, D##, F##, B# and D##. The root, B#, shows up twice in the main shape. The lowest note is B# on string 5 and the highest is D## on string 1.

B# lets two strings ring open. String 3 gives F## and string 1 gives D##. String 6 stays silent. Everything fits between frets 1 and 3. The second shape on this page starts at fret 3.

The change that keeps the most fingers still is to C7. Three stay in place. It can also be written C, and it sounds the same.

B# belongs to seven keys. In C major it is the I, in F major the V and in G major the IV. The rest appear in the key list.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

01C C - Am - Dm - G702Em Em - C - Am - B7
Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (B#)

Formula: Major Triad (1 - 3 - 5)
Constituent chord intervals:

B# 1D## 3F## 5

Root Bass (Fundamental String)5th String (A) • Fret 3 (C)

String Control (Muted & Active)5 / 6 • 1 X Muted

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for B#:

01

Open (C)

Standard Position
5 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
5th String (A)
Fret 3Finger 3
C
4th String (D)
Fret 2Finger 2
E
3rd String (G)
○Open
G
2nd String (B)
Fret 1Finger 1
C
1st String (High E)
○Open
E

Placement tip: Press: 5th String (A) at fret 3 with your Ring finger, 4th String (D) at fret 2 with your Middle finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 1 with your Index finger. Play open: 3rd String (G), 1st String (High E). Don't play: 6th String (Low E).

02

Barre 3

Barre fret 3
5 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
5th String (A)
Fret 3Barre
C
4th String (D)
Fret 5
G
3rd String (G)
Fret 5
C
2nd String (B)
Fret 5
E
1st String (High E)
Fret 3Barre
G

Placement tip: Barre fret 3. Press: 4th String (D) at fret 5, 3rd String (G) at fret 5, 2nd String (B) at fret 5. Don't play: 6th String (Low E).

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (B#)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Frets1 to 3
Fretting fingers3
Open3rd and 1st
Muted6th

What to check

The open 3rd and 1st strings sit next to a fretting finger.

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from B#

Listen: B# → C · C7 · Am

  1. B#
  2. C
  3. B#
  4. C7
  5. B#
  6. Am
B# → C01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:3 fingers stay
Stay in place
  • finger 3: string 5, fret 3
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2
  • finger 1: string 2, fret 1
B# → C702
Pivot / Anchor Finger:3 fingers stay
Stay in place
  • finger 3: string 5, fret 3
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2
  • finger 1: string 2, fret 1
Move
  • finger 4: string 3, fret 3
B# → Am03
Pivot / Anchor Finger:2 fingers stay
Stay in place
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2
  • finger 1: string 2, fret 1
Move
  • finger 3: string 3, fret 2

B# in every key

B# sits in the scale of 7 keys.

Main shape at a glance

Difficulty
1/5
Highest fret
3
Frets the hand covers
3
Barre
No
Strings that ring
5/6
Fretting fingers
3
Same sound, other name
C

B# on other instruments

PianoThe same notes on the keyboard.All togetherHear guitar, piano, bass and violin together.
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the chord (B#)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the B# chord?

To play the B# chord on guitar, only 5 strings are played, from string 5 to string 1. Muted strings must be gently dampened with the fleshy side of a fretting finger to prevent dissonance.

What is the root bass note of the B# chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the B# chord is its lowest pitch: C. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 5 at fret 3.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the B# chord and what is its formula?

The B# chord is constructed using the 1 - 3 - 5 formula (Major Triad). Its constituent pitches are B#, D##, F##.

How do you prevent the B# chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the B# chord from buzzing or sounding muted, press the strings using the tips of your fingers at a strict 90-degree hammer angle. Position each finger immediately behind the fret wire with your thumb centered behind the neck.

Study sheet · High resolution

Official B# chord diagram

B# guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4
Download HD sheet

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Other chords in the B# family:

Chord B#m